Skyteam Upgrades
 

Tomorrow, I am making the L-O-N-G SAV-ATL-FCO-TLV trip (about 32 hours, counting airport waits).

Except for FCO-TLV, the trip will be on Delta metal but the whole itinerary is Alitalia.

Having seen that there are a great number of BC seats not assigned, I called Delta and asked if I could use my Skymiles to upgrade.

Nope. I was told that I am considered an Alitalia passenger and that none of the foreign Skyteam members allow the use of miles for upgrades.

I called Alitalia and asked how much it would cost. (I am flying on "H" fare, which is the equivalent of Delta's "M" -- not "discounted" but still not the highest fare.)

I was told tht because my itinerary started in Tel Aviv, I would have to upgrade my entire itinerary to the top fare and then
pay more to upgrade to BC for ATL-FCO.

"I can check the cost if you really want me to," the Alitalia agent told me, "but it is going to be several thousand dollars."

If any of you are flying ATL-FCO on DL 70 tomorrow, stop by and say hello. I will be the guy in seat 31B -- Economy Class.